Archie Montrose“Why did the mural cross the road? To get to the other side of creativity!”
Dad jokes aside, this was all prompted by our admiration of a stunning mural last year at Vancouer’s Annual Mural Festival.
The mural actually extended across the street, connecting with another piece on the opposite wall! Turns out, it was part of a mind-blowing optical illusion only visible from a specific angle.
You won’t believe the hidden gems waiting for you this year – trust us, you have to see it to believe it! Don’t miss what incredible surprises this year’s festival has in store!
- When is the Vancouver Mural Festival?
- What is the Vancouver Mural Festival?
- How to Get to the Vancouver Mural Festival
- Where to Stay near the Vancouver Mural Festival
- Where to Eat near the Vancouver Mural Festival
- Activities during the Vancouver Mural Festival
- Where to Shop near the Vancouver Mural Festival
- Apps to Download for a Trip to Vancouver Mural Festival
When is the Vancouver Mural Festival?
The Vancouver Mural Festival is an outdoor celebration of public art that will be held on August 8 to 11, 2024. It aims to bring folks together and showcase our diverse communities through cool artwork and live performances.
What is the Vancouver Mural Festival?
The Vancouver Mural Festival (VMF) celebrates street art, transforming cityscapes into vibrant outdoor galleries. The festival promotes creativity and community engagement.
It offers locals and tourists a dynamic cultural experience, revitalizing neighborhoods and fostering a sense of pride and connection with Vancouver’s diverse artistic scene.
The Vancouver Mural Festival kicked off back in 2016. The idea was to shake things up with how art’s seen around here. It’s grown from a laid-back summer thing to a top-notch art hub that’s cooking up murals and events all year round.
They’ve already put up more than 400 murals, and they’re still going strong, sprucing up Metro Vancouver with fresh ideas.
How to Get to the Vancouver Mural Festival
By car: head onto the ramp to historic Chinaton and take a right onto Main Street. From there, take a left onto Kingsway until you arrive in the neighborhood of Mount Pleasant.
By public transit: take the N9 bus towards E Broadway and Kingsway Streets. From there, Mount Pleasant will be a minute walk. Alternatively, you can also take the N8 bus towards Kingsway and Main Streets.
Where to Stay near the Vancouver Mural Festival
Holiday Inn Vancouver-Centre
Address: 711 W. Broadway, Heather St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3Y2, Canada
Phone: +1 604-879-0511
Pricing: $$$
The Holiday Inn on Broadway sits in a super handy spot, just a quick 7-minute stroll from the sky train station. You’ve got a bunch of coffee joints and restaurants around, catering to every taste you can imagine.
Plus, they’ve got their own restaurant and lounge serving up some tasty West Coast grub, along with an indoor pool and a gym to work off those extra calories.
the DOUGLAS
Address: 45 Smithe St, Vancouver, BC V6B 0R3, Canad
Phone: +1 604-676-0889
Pricing: $$$
The DOUGLAS is this fancy boutique hotel, all decked out with a nature vibe, nestled right inside the Parq Vancouver entertainment complex. The rooms are swanky, sporting timber touches, cool original artwork, and classy, understated furnishings.
You’ve got some sweet perks too, like a hip rooftop lounge and a gym to keep you fit. And if you need to do some business, they’ve got meeting spaces sorted too.
JW Marriott Parq
Address: 39 Smithe St, Vancouver, BC V6B 0R3, Canada
Phone: +1 604-676-0888
Pricing: $$$
The JW Marriott Parq sits close to Gastown and Yaletown, which is sweet for exploring the city. Once you’re inside, the rooms and suites are like little havens, decked out in fresh colors with killer views.
And get this: staying here means you’ve got all-access passes to the casino, spa, and eight awesome spots to eat and drink.
Granville Island Hotel
Address: 1253 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9, Canada
Phone: +1 604-683-7373
Pricing: $$$
This stunning boutique hotel is right on the waterfront in Granville Island, Vancouver’s artsy hub. Rooms here come with killer views of both the ocean and the city skyline.
Plus, being so close to galleries, theaters, shops, and all the action downtown makes it the perfect spot to chill or get down to business while you’re in Vancouver.
Hampton Inn & Suites
Address: 111 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2A8, Canada
Phone: +1 604-602-1008
Pricing: $$
Hampton Inn & Suites is a relaxed modern hotel located on Robson Street and a 4-minute drive to the Vancouver Mural Festival. The rooms are nice, quiet, and spotlessly clean.
But wait, it gets better. Head up to the rooftop balcony, and you’re in for a treat with some seriously awesome views. It’s the cherry on top of a great stay.
Other amenities include a gym, an indoor pool, a lobby/lounge, a game room and a coin-operated laundry.
Where to Eat near the Vancouver Mural Festival
Fatburger
Address: 255 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1P5, Canada
Phone: +1 604-568-7077
Pricing: $
At Fatburger, they’ve got burgers in all sizes, along with classic fast-food goodies like chicken tenders, poutine, and wings. Even though you customize your order a lot, they can prepare it perfectly.
For sure, you gotta try their beef burgers—they’re the bomb. And don’t even get us started on the curly fries, they’re seriously tasty.
La Taqueria Pinche
Address: 2450 Yukon St, Vancouver, BC V5Y 0A4, Canada
Phone: +1 778-770-9055
Pricing: $$
If you’re craving authentic Mexican street-style tacos and quesadillas, La Taqueria Pinche is the spot to hit up. Their crispy chicken burrito with guac is out of this world—seriously bursting with flavor.
And here’s the kicker: they’ve got a bar attached that stays open till 3 am, perfect for those late-night party vibes. Don’t miss out on their corn and flour tortillas for the tacos, they’re a game-changer.
The Greek
Address: 382 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1R2, Canada
Phone: +1 604-675-2939
Pricing: $$
The Greek by Anatoli has been serving up delicious Greek fare in Vancouver for more than thirty years. They’ve got all the classics covered, from avgolemono soup to crispy pita paired with whipped feta and red peppers, and even roe.
Here’s the scoop: you’ve gotta try the souvlaki. It’s juicy, tender, and bursting with flavor. And their Greek salad? Perfect balance of acidity without overwhelming your taste buds with sourness.
Marulilu Café
Address: 451 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1R4, Canada
Phone: +1 604-568-4211
Pricing: $
Marulilu Café is over on Broadway and is this cozy Japanese spot serving up all your favorite comfort foods and breakfast classics like toast, waffles, wraps, and sandwiches.
Here’s the must-try: go for the garlic omurice with pork cutlet. Seriously, that pork is thin and crispy, and it’s just so darn tasty.
Pokerrito
Address: 350 W 8th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Y 3X2, Canada
Phone: +1 604-326-2765
Pricing: $
At Pokerrito, they’re all about those fresh and flavorful poke bowls, packed with a variety of fish and toppings. You’ve got to try their popular dishes like Diamond Head, North Shore, and Hanuama. Plus, they’ve got this sweet outdoor terrace out front!
So, we went and tried their pokeritto—it was absolutely delicious and packed to the brim! And the spicy seaweed salad they’ve got—it’s a total game-changer.
Activities during the Vancouver Mural Festival
Discover Art with the VMF Mural Tours
Media credit: vanmuralfest
Address: 2410 Columbia St, Vancouver, BC V5Y 3E6, Canada
The VMF Mural Tours covers five neighborhoods in Vancouver. Start locations include downtown Vancouver, West End, River District, Mount Pleasant, and Strathcona.
This experience guides you through various neighborhood murals, shedding light on the significance of each artwork and sharing behind-the-scenes stories of their creation.
Join the Public Disco Pride Special
Media credit: vanmuralfest
Address: 2410 Columbia St, Vancouver, BC V5Y 3E6, Canada
Public Disco’s annual Pride celebration transforms an industrial Mount Pleasant laneway and nearby parking lots into a lively open-air party featuring queer dance music.
You’ll find shade and seating ready for your comfort, along with two food trucks serving up delicious bites and a pop-up bar for refreshing drinks.
Get Jumpin’ at Make Good Party
Media credit: vanmuralfest
Address: 2410 Columbia St, Vancouver, BC V5Y 3E6, Canada
Make Good Party is all about celebrating local talent, bringing together Vancouver’s finest makers, artists, breweries, food trucks, and DJs to honor pride.
It’s a two-day market filled with curated, fabulous, and fun vibes, showcasing handmade, vintage, and original designs from independent creators.
Participate in Astro Alley
Media credit: vanmuralfest
Address: 2410 Columbia St, Vancouver, BC V5Y 3E6, Canada
Astro Alley is the newest addition to the festival scene, happening behind Astro Studio, where the Vancouver Mural Festival got its start.
Astro Alley has always been a hub for street art and graffiti mural production. It’s been a rare spot in the city where artists can create freely, without interruption or outside influence.
This space has been a testing ground for the collective and their friends, and now it’s getting a full makeover for the public to enjoy.
Listen in on Curator Talk
Media credit: vanmuralfest
Address: 2410 Columbia St, Vancouver, BC V5Y 3E6, Canada
Here’s an interesting one. The Curator Talk here at the VMF is where you get to hear all about the processes, backgrounds, and curation choices that shape the VMF experience.
Each year, VMF artists are carefully selected and supported by a dedicated team of art and programming curators. It’s an in-depth look at the thought and care that goes into creating a diverse and engaging lineup for visitors to enjoy.
Where to Shop near the Vancouver Mural Festival
Venus & Mars Clothing
Address: 223 W Broadway #105, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1P5, Canada
Phone: +1 604-687-1908
Venus & Mars, nestled in the heart of Gastown since ’93, crafts handmade alternative clothing with a unique touch from shop owner Sanné Lambert.
It’s a go-to spot for those seeking something beyond the usual, and let me tell you, their pieces are top-notch. While it might stretch the budget a bit, the quality speaks for itself, making it a worthwhile investment.
Fjällräven Brand Store
Address: 147 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1P4, Canada
Phone: +1 604-559-1369
You’ve gotta check out Fjallraven Vancouver over in Mount Pleasant on Broadway. They’ve got an incredible selection of backpacks and hiking boots that are just begging to hit the trails.
And get this, their store is all about sustainability. They’ve stocked up on the brand’s eco-friendly outerwear and are totally committed to sustainable design.
Murata
Address: 15 E Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5T 1V4, Canada
Phone: +1 604-874-1777
Since 1989, Murata has been bringing a slice of Japanese lifestyle to Vancouver with its collection of goods perfect for both gifting and everyday use.
Stepping into the store feels like stepping into a zen oasis—the air is practically floating with tranquility, and everything on the shelves exudes a delicate and peaceful vibe.
They’ve got a stunning array of Japanese pottery, along with furoshiki, incense, and other thoughtful gifts and home goods straight from Japan.
On The Rivet
Address: 21 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1P1, Canada
Phone: +1 604-677-0700
At On The Rivet, it’s all about embracing the rider lifestyle with top-notch gear and expert fittings. It’s your one-stop-shop for everything you need to hit the road in style and comfort.
Not only do they stock premium gear and accessories, but they also hook you up with a wide range of bicycles and offer professional fitting services for bikes, shoes, helmets, and saddles.
Sport Chek
Address: 18 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1P2, Canada
Phone: +1 604-874-6530
Sport Chek is your go-to spot for sneakers, running shoes, and all your outdoor gear needs. As the largest Canadian retailer of sporting clothing and equipment, with a whopping 191 stores across the country, they’ve got you covered.
It’s not just about the selection—it’s the whole experience. You’ll find plenty of options without feeling like you’re in a sardine can, plus they’ve got killer sales and clearance items.
Apps to Download for a Trip to Vancouver Mural Festival
Vancouver Transit Live: search and view live updates of Vancouver’s bus schedules coming to the stops near you.
iOs | Android
Doordash: food delivery service in North Vancouver.
iOs | Android
PayByPhone: pay for parking spots in the city.
Uber: book a ride anywhere in Vancouver. Let’s you track the driver’s location in real-time on the app and provide an estimated time of arrival.
iOs | Android
